Christianity & Wicca

Origin

• Christianity is a monotheistic religion founded by the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, a Jew, was born in about 7 B.C. and assumed his public life, probably after his 30th year, in Galilee

Origin

• Although there were precursors to the movement, the origins of modern Wicca can be traced to a retired British civil servant, Gerald Brousseau Gardner (1884–1964).

Important Leaders

• Jesus Christ, St. Augustine, John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, John Wesley , Pope Francis, and Billy Graham

Important Leaders

• Gavin & Yvonne Frost, Sybil Leek, Raymond Buckland, and Gerald Gardner

They Refer to God as...

• Adonai has a similar context and refers to God as a powerful ruler. Similarly, El-Shaddai, derived from "shad" i.e. Lord, also points to the power of God. Yahweh is the principal name in the Old Testament by which God reveals himself and is the most sacred, distinctive and incommunicable name of God.

They Refer to God as...

• Some Wiccans are both duotheistic and polytheistic, in that they honor diverse pagan deities while reserving their worship for the Wiccan Goddess and Horned God, whom they regard as the supreme deities.

Basic Principles

• There are five basic principles which constitute the initial teachings of Christianity. They are, in effect, the five pillars of Christianity. The Word of God, The Virgin Birth, Atonement, Resurrection, and Second Coming

Basic Principles

• " 1.We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters. 2.We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept. 3.We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called "supernatural," but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all. 4.We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity - as masculine and feminine - and that this same creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiement of Life and as one of the sources of energies used in magical practice and religious worship. 5.We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds - sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc. - and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment. 6.We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given to themselves in leadership. 7.We see religion, Magic, and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it - a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way. 8.Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch - but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature. 9.We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know and to our personal role within it. 10.Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the one true right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief. 11.As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future. 12.We do not accept the concept of "absolute evil", nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or "the Devil" as defined by Christian Tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another. 13.We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Practices and Rituals

• Christian worship services generally include singing, prayer and a sermon. Most churches have a special ritual for ordination, or designating a person fit for a leadership position in the church. At home, most practicing Christians pray regularly and many read the Bible. Many Christians will have been baptized, either as an infant or as an adult, and regularly participate in communion (also called the Lord's Supper and the Eucharist).

Practices And Rituals

• Wiccans try to meet out of doors where possible. North American climate and concern for personal safety usually forces them indoors. They gather in a circle, which is often nine feet in diameter. Candles on the circumference are usually oriented to the four cardinal directions. Some Wiccans align the candles to the walls of the room. An altar is at the center of the circle or at the northern candle. Rites begin with a casting of the circle, in which the circle is outlined and purified, and the candles lit. A space is thus created within the circle; this is sometimes visualized as a sphere, or as a cylinder or cone. The purpose of this space is to confine healing energy until it is released. The central portion of each meeting may celebrate the full moon, a new moon, a Sabbat or a special Wiccan ceremony. It might include healing, divination (scrying, Tarot cards, Runes, etc.), teaching, consecration of tools, discussion, or other life-affirming, nature based activities. After the major work is completed, food (perhaps cakes and wine) is eaten, and the circle is banished. Because of the increasing concern over addictions to alcohol and other drugs, many covens have replaced wine with juice, water etc. Wiccan tools: Hardware which are used to perform Witchcraft rites often look like common household items. Although there is much variation among individual Wiccans and their covens, the following are typical: Athame (double sided, ritual knife; often black handled) used for many purposes, but never for cutting. It is either created by its owner, or is a re-worked purchased knife. A sword is sometimes substituted for the athame. An altar, which may be of any shape or material. It may contain: A bowl of salt representing the element earth. Incense representing the element air Two candles representing the Goddess and God. A bowl of water representing the element water. A bell which is rung to delineate sections of the rite. A pentacle (a 5 pointed star engraved on a disk). A chalice or goblet and perhaps a libation bowl to hold a drink. They may also hold water, which is used in many rituals. A cauldron, for mixing herbs and essences. A wand or sword to cast the circle. A circle, typically 9 feet in diameter, formed from a rope or row of small rocks, a marking on the ground or floor, etc. Four candles just outside the circle, at the four cardinal directions.

Holidays

• Advent( in the Christian religion, the four-week period before Christmas Day) the Annunciation. Ash Wednesday. Christmas. noun. Christmas Day. noun. Easter. noun. Easter. noun. Easter Sunday.

Holidays

• New Years Day October 31st at sundown Also known as Samhain or All Hallow's Eve. This is New Years on the Druid calendar. The wall between earth and the underworld is thin at this time of year. On Halloween night, the wall opens. Samhain, the Lord of Darkness, rises from the underworld. He roams the world looking for lost souls. It is an evil and wicked night, a perfect night for a witch to celebrate New Years! Winter Solstice (December 21st) Also known as Yule. This is the shortest day of the year. And, conversely, the longest night. Witches and warlocks celebrate the birth of the Sun God, as from this point forward the days get longer. Wiccan celebrations include yule logs, yule trees and Mistletoe. Sounds a little like Christmas , huh!?! Imbolic February 2and This day honors the Brigid, the goddess of fertility, fire and healing. It is also a time of increasing strength for the sun god. This Wiccan holiday coincides with Candlemas and Ground Hog's Day. Ostara March 21st This day on the Witches calendar, is the Spring Equinox. The German goddess Oestra, goddess of Fertility is honored. Beltane May 1st Previously celebrated on May 5, Beltane was moved to May 1st to coincide with May Day. This is a high holiday in celebration of the god and goddess of fertility. Eggs are a sign of fertility, and a symbol of this day. Early summer warmth is in the air. Summer Solstice or Litha June 21st This day celebrates the sun god at his highest point. Nighttime has been dominated by daylight. Lammas or Harvest Eve July 31st This holiday celebrates the first harvest. Feast of Mabon September 21st The Autumn equinox has arrived. On the Wiccan calendar, we celebrate the celebration of the birth of Mabon, the son of Mordon, the Goddess of the earth. It is also the harvest festival.

Attitudes towards Women

• Christian views (attitudes and beliefs) about women vary considerably today and have varied even more throughout the last two millennia, evolving along with or counter to the societies in which Christians have lived. All of the major world religions, including institutionalized Christianity, deprecate women to some degree. Since the first century, organized Christianity has interpreted the Bible as prescribing a gender-based hierarchy, claimed up to the present by Complementarians and traditionalists to be scripturally mandated. The hierarchical theology has placed woman under the man's authority — in the church, in marriage, and elsewhere. Historically, it has excluded women from church leadership positions that give women any kind of authority over men.

Attitudes towards Women

• Principle #4 affirms the equality of women and men. It briefly touches on sex magick. These are a belief and practice foreign to many of today's organized religions who continue to denigrate women and fear human sexuality.

Influences on Art

• Christianity has extended its influence to many works of Western art. Artists use their artworks to express their own faith or to describe Biblical events and views on Christianity. Often, their works are designed to have a special effect on the viewer. Some works of art are devotionals, designed to make the viewer think deeply about faith and beliefs. Other works are intended to teach the viewer. Some works are dramatic and emotional, used to make the viewer feel a sense of love, fear, or respect for Christianity. And some artworks are used in Christian rituals.

Influences on Art

• cultural myth, the myth than an earthly alliance of Satan’s minions (most of them female) had conspired to destroy Christendom. The fantasy usually fed upon fear; myth became reality when the terrible life-denying sorcery of the stereotyped witch could be made to explain unpredictable or catastrophic misfortune. For example, witchcraft might explain shipwreck, sexual impotency, or an outbreak of the plague. In each case, belief in witches assumed the efficacy of an occult system of malevolent, supernatural powers. - See more at: http://www.historytoday.com/dale-hoak/witch-hunting-and-women-art-renaissan...

Assimilation

• The spread of Christianity was made a lot easier by the efficiency of the Roman Empire, but its principles were sometimes misunderstood and membership of the sect could be dangerous. Although Jesus had died, his message had not. Word of his teachings spread to Jewish communities across the empire.

Assimilation

• Following the 1951 repeal of England’s archaic Witchcraft Laws, Gardner published Witchcraft Today (1954), founded his first coven of followers, and, with input from its members, especially author Doreen Valiente, developed modern witchcraft into what today is known as Wicca. It spread quickly to the United States in the late 1960s, when an emphasis on nature, unconventional lifestyles, and a search for spirituality divorced from traditional religions were especially in vogue.

Impact on History

• Christianity led to the end of murder of slaves in the coliseums of the Roman world, the beginning of healthcare for the masses and education for the common man. It brought an end to the slave trade and slavery itself. It brought workers rights through Lord Shaftesbury, and child protection agencies, like the RSPCC by William Wilberforce and other Christian leaders. Christianity also birthed the Civil Rights Movement with the leader being the preacher Martin Luther King Jr. and the end of Apartheid in South Africa, thanks to the leadership of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

Impact on History

• Belief in witchcraft exists around the world and varies from culture to culture. Historically, people have associated witchcraft with evil and usually have regarded a witch as someone who uses magic to harm others, by causing accidents, illnesses, bad luck, and even death. Some societies believe that witches also use magic for good, performing such actions as casting spells for love, health, and wealth. People around the world continue to practice witchcraft for good or harm. Unlike those who practice witchcraft for harm, the followers of Wicca believe in practicing magic only for beneficial purposes. They worship a deity with male and female aspects, but some traditions emphasize the female, or Goddess, side of the deity.

Citations

• Melton, John Gordon. "Wicca." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 09 June 2016.
• "Christianity Fast Facts: 10 Important Figures in Religion's Story." Newsmax. N.p., 01 Apr. 2015. Web. 09 June 2016.
• "The Foundational Principles of Christianity." The Foundational Principles of Christianity. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2016.
• "The 13 Basic Wiccan Principles (Paganlore.com)." The 13 Basic Wiccan Principles (Paganlore.com). N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2016
• "Overview of Practices, Tools, Rituals, Etc." Overview of Wiccan Practices, Rituals, Tools, Etc. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2016.
• "World Religions in Art." World Religions in Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2016.